Please take a moment and help us save The Mes Hall, a historic arts and music facility in Mount Vernon, NY. After thriving in a sprawling multi-level warehouse at 245 Washington Street for 18 years, the building’s landlord (embattled deposed deputy police commissioner Joseph Spiezio) is suddenly attempting to illegally evict all of The Mes Hall's tenants and demolish the building in an apparent money grab. This all comes in the wake of Spiezio recently finding himself under public scrutiny for his involvement with recently ousted Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas, who recently plead guilty to two campaign finance crimes which may be linked to Mr. Spiezio, a consultant and donor to Thomas’ mayoral campaign. 

Founded in 2002 by Chris “Mes” Vinson, The Mes Hall is a conglomerate of over 30 boutique recording studios, rehearsal rooms and event spaces. Over the years it expanded into The Drip Project, a collection of murals and art installations at The Mes Hall from artists all over the world, which until recently was emphatically supported by both landlord Spiezio and former Mayor Thomas, calling it the centerpiece of the Mount Vernon Arts District and supplying logistical needs for its continuance in the hopes of revitalizing the local arts community. Now that Thomas has been removed from office after his criminal convictions, and Spiezio himself is under investigation for a plethora of his own shady business deals, the government-endorsed support for The Mes Hall has vanished. Spiezio now wants everyone gone immediately; he claims he’s already sold the building and is scheduled for demolition. He’s already tried installing concrete road blocks to the parking lot and has sent individuals to the building with cans of white paint in a futile attempt to white wash the murals—a trivial act of pettiness with irreparable damages. 

Innumerable hip hop musicians have recorded at The Mes Hall over the past two decades (see below) and now the 100+ art pieces spanning both the interior and exterior the premises are at risk of being lost forever—innocent bystanders of sleazy, low level political corruption and corporate greed. The oppressors here are greedy folks with loud voices who allowed small amounts of money and power to go to their heads. The victims are creators of art and culture, as they often are in cases like this. (Google 5Pointz. Spoiler Alert: it didn’t end well for anyone). 

Your signature will help bring attention to the art, culture and local history that’s at stake of being lost. The Mes Hall has been here for nearly two decades but if Spiezio gets his way, there won’t be another facility like it anywhere in the NYC area. The Mes Hall makes Mount Vernon better—we love what we do and we love doing it here. Help us keep it that way. (We’re raising money for legal fees. Please reach out if you can spare anything more than a signature!) Thanks in advance for your help and support 

You can read more on this situation by googling keywords like “The Mes Hall Mount Vernon Joseph Spiezio Mayor Richard Thomas” (the local news has covered it extensively). Below is a list of just some of the influential musicians, artists and public figures who have worked to shape our culture from within the walls of The Mes Hall.

Musicians:

De La Soul, Brand Nubian, Raekwon, Redman, DMX, The LOX, Onyx, Scram Jones, DJ Green Lantern, Pusha T, Maino, Kool G Rap, Tre Williams, Tru Life, Mya, Mysonne, Buckwild, Heltah Skeltah, Cory Gunz, Chris Rivers, C.L. Smooth, Saigon, Rhymefest, A Boogie Wit The Hoodie, Bizzy Bone, Dolla Bill Kidz, Skitzo, Dub Sonata, Qui3t, Chris Mes Beats, Jadakiss, Styles P, Sheek Louch, J-Hood, Snyp Lyfe, AP, Khardier The God, Remy Ma, Monolo Rose, Dave East, Justina Valentine, Grafh, Axel Leon, Hell Rell, Murda Mook, T-Rex, Fred the Godson, Reef Hustle, Raze, Serius Jones, Swave Sevah, Sadat X, Grand Puba, Natural Elements, Haddy Racks, Lumidee, Don Q, DJ Cranberry, King Ceazar, 187 Cal Boy, Dot Demo, Blick, C-Rayz Walz, Dom Pachino, Shyheim, Sergio Veneno, Vin The Chin, Double A.B., Hot Waters, Avery Storm, Immortal Technique, Canibus, Nature, Lakey The Kidd, Ruc Da Jackal, Statik Selektah, Swigga, Termanology, J-Starrs, Kevin Casey, Tim Segreto, Evening Elevator, Philip Drummond, Today’s Future Sound, Maitre D, Mala Reignz, O.D. Fam, Moondoc, Dirty Dollar Bill, Panama, Preacher Bishop, Rece Steele, Karniege, Cannibal Ox, Vast Aire, Vordul Mega, Kenyattah Black, Bless, Rich Mo, Rock, Skinny Joints, The Aztext, Tim Kiely, Tru, Cap The Don, Skrapp, Rock, Real Rapp, Willie Hayze, Snatchatape, Rod the producer, Oswin Benjamin, Cover, Conan, Brooke Lynne, Ski Beatz, Aharri, Marty Baller, Dyse Payso, Gun Play, Yapa, Provalone P, Torch, Sinsay, Dot Dollaz, CoCo, Ace so dope, Jermain paul, Rizzy 2 Times, Whispers 

Artists:

Trace, Riot, Duster, Dez (DJ Kay Slay), Jason Naylor, Subway-Doodle, Pies, Crash, Frank Ape, Hoacs, Vers, Sketch,  Deem, Mr Sear, Phobes, Lobs, Osiris, Reme, Mad Villain, Ces, Muckrock, Belowkey, Johnny Flid, Wane, Demote, Wow, Klops, Masato, Jason Ackerman, Tracy 168, Layer Cake, Harris Lobel, Jappy Lemon, Cram, Werd, Draper, Albertus, Jay Shells, Reso, Queen Andrea, OG Millie, Jenna Krypell, Soren, King Bee, JPO, Hiriuku, Joe Iruto, Dameon NYC, Napkin Killer,  Zero Productivity, Distort, Denton Burrows, Nover, Dek, Isabelle Ewing, Hear NYC, Bianca Romero, Damien Mitchell, Meir, Lucky Rabbit, Sebo, Chris Stain, Pyramid Oracle, Zimer, Acro, Hek Tad, Grooseling, Garabatoarte, Fridge, Dirk Art, Tahoe, Skatch, A Kerman’s Boy, NYC Hooker, Pinky Webber, Infa, Jps, Rocket, Plasma Slug, Noxer, Dirt Cobain, Turtle Caps, Reaps, Fresh, Snoeman, Cone, Teck, Myok, XXX, Jos One, Ramos Ramieo, Rjone, Rammer, City Kitty, Smallsz, Norm Boogie 

Public Figures:

Fat Boy SSE, Jacob Berger, Ken Starrrz, Cominahar, Black Ink Crew, Ceaser, Teddy Rucks, Puma, Walt, Donna, Dutchess, Sky